11 things I’m thankful for

1. My health. I have all of my senses and most of my marbles. I can experience all the colors, aromas, tastes and textures this world has to offer and process them in this brain of mine. Physically, I’m relatively fit, though my knees are arthritic and my blood pressure is a little high (a combination of genetics and living with teenagers).
2. My sons. Casey, 17, and Charlie, 15, keep me humble and challenged and every now and then show the love I know is hiding under all that surliness and bravado. Seriously, they’ve have made my life so much richer and more interesting . . . well, except for those three hour-plus Pony League baseball games.
3. My dog. When my sons are acting like teenagers, I have Ben, who appreciates me no matter what and eagerly returns my affection.
4. My husband, Mark Funk. (Okay, this list is NOT in order of significance.) He supports me and my writing in every way, reading endless drafts, giving me time, shuttling boys to innumerable practices and games, and working in a job that actually makes money. I don’t deserve him. I really don’t.
5. My friends. The women in my triathlon-training and singing groups as well as my writing buddies (Anne Leigh Parrish, in particular) – you all make my life healthier, more fulfilled and balanced. Together, you’re one giant sanity pill in this crazy world, and I can’t thank you enough.
6. My beta readers, particularly Anne, Steve Kink, India Bock, Gabe Castillo, Kay Rae Chomic and Rebecca Alexander. Anne, Steve, Kay and Rebecca are fellow writers. Gabe and Rebecca are old high school friends. India is my teenage neighbor who loves to read. All of you are busy, and I was audacious enough to ask you to read a draft of a novel in your spare time.
7. My neighbors. Particularly Bob and Vicki Bock, parents of India and Pierce and a labradoodle named Athena. We are in this village together, trading stories and tips, helping with transportation and recreation, sharing laughter, angst, house keys and the occasional recipe ingredient. You’re the best.
8. My home. I’m lucky to live in a nice house in a progressive city in a country that is free. My boys are getting a good public education (both are attending my alma mater, Roosevelt High School. Go, Roughriders!). They have easy access to ocean beaches, mountain trails, rain forests and desert – all in one amazing state. They have never known real hunger, tyranny or war except for what they read in their textbooks and hear about on the news.
9. My public library. Books open our lives to different people, places and experiences. They broaden our world and make us more empathetic. For this reader and writer, the local library is an invaluable resource, a literary lifeline.
10. My diversions. Seriously, what would we do without sports, music, arts, crafts, and the occasional on-line Scrabble game? We’d all go insane.
11. My hopes and dreams. My life is secure enough that I have the luxury of thinking beyond survival. I have reasonable hopes of publishing a novel, of sending my children to college, of living into an active, happy and healthy old age. And really, what more could I ask for? I am blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving!

credit for photo on right: Bob Bock